“Three years ago, when Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, it crippled Baxter International Inc.’s ability to manufacture saline solution, an essential hospital supply. With another hurricane season threatening the island, Baxter says it will do better if disaster strikes again, even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. “As the Atlantic hurricane season gets under … [Read more...]
Hospitals’ recovery plans clash with new COVID-19 infections
"...Hospital chains saw the summer as a potential respite when they could resume postponed hip and knee replacements and even some cancer surgeries. Despite record admissions during the public health crisis, the industry is struggling because profit margins on non-essential care are so much higher, though some systems have deep financial reserves. "Now, the swath the virus … [Read more...]
White House to eliminate CDC as COVID data recipient, replace with National Guard
The Trump administration is asking state governors to consider sending the National Guard to hospitals to help improve data collection about novel coronavirus patients, supplies and capacity The move is part of a new data reporting protocol for hospitals that eliminates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Atlanta, GA) as a recipient of that information. “In … [Read more...]
U.S. Military Sending Medical Staff to COVID-19 Hotspots
As cases of COVID-19 surge across the country, particularly in southern and western states, U.S. military medical personnel are being sent to help, NPR reports. Army officials have announced that around 740 military health professionals are being sent to Texas and California. The new deployments are the direct result of some states opening up early and their residents not … [Read more...]
Miami is now the coronavirus epicenter as cases surge, one expert says
“With more than 2,000 patients hospitalized and hundreds in ICUs, "Miami is now the epicenter of the pandemic," one infectious disease expert said Monday, comparing the South Florida metropolitan area to the city where the pandemic originated. “What we were seeing in Wuhan -- six months ago, five months ago -- now we are there," Lilian Abbo, with the Jackson Health System … [Read more...]
Salesforce’s Marc Benioff: Face masks can end the U.S. coronavirus crisis within weeks
“Internet entrepreneur Marc Benioff told CNBC Monday that face masks have the potential to eradicate the coronavirus outbreak in the United States… “That issue is one that Benioff, a frequent guest on the evening stock investing show, and Cramer have teamed up to address as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread rapidly across the country. The two are sponsoring the … [Read more...]
Atrium Health, Novant Health increase bed capacity in North Carolina
Atrium Health (Charlotte, NC) and Novant Health (Charlotte, NC) have been working to prepare for a surge of coronavirus patients by increasing bed capacity and reinforcing supply chains. Both healthcare systems have 20% of hospital beds and ICU beds available. Sid Fletcher, MD, Novant’s chief clinical officer for the Greater Charlotte market, says they have concerns that the … [Read more...]
Many Texas hospitals are no longer accepting transfer patients
Texas hospitals are taking extraordinary steps to make space for a surge of patients. State data shows the hardest-hit regions include most of Texas’ big cities and South and Central Texas and the Gulf Coast. Many Texas hospitals have stopped accepting transfer patients to maintain space for a surge that is expected to come. In the Rio Grande Valley, hospital beds are in short … [Read more...]
Premier Inc. ProvideGx program partners with Fresenius Kabi to supply sedation drug essential for COVID-19 care
Premier Inc. (Charlotte, NC) through its ProvideGx program, has partnered with Fresenius Kabi to supply Diprivan (propofol) injectable emulsion, USP to healthcare providers, helping to stabilize the long-term supply of a medication vital for COVID-19 patient care. Diprivan is indicated for anesthesia and sedation, including for patients who require sedation during … [Read more...]
Sutter Health request to delay $575M settlement is denied
Sutter Health (Sacramento, CA) requested a delay on a $575 million settlement it reached last December over accusations of price gouging and monopolistic practices. Citing the surge in coronavirus cases and economic fallout from the pandemic, Sutter Health argued it needed three additional months to decide whether it should try to abandon the settlement terms. However, a … [Read more...]